Every ship has its secrets. Luckily, we found several leading cruise specialists willing to spill the beans on 17 cruise lines and their biggest-bang-for-the-buck staterooms

Carnival Cruises
Legend, Miracle, Pride, Spirit
"Many of Carnival's own reservations agents don't even know about this, but these ships have some great connecting cabins for families with kids who are old enough to be in their own room but too young to have their own balcony. Cabins 7107 and 7108, which have verandas, connect to cabins 7105 and 7106, respectively, which are interior staterooms. This part of deck 7 is under the bridge, so it's quiet, but you'll also find these balcony—inside connecting cabins on decks 5 and 6."
Linda Allen, Cruises by Linda, Harrison, Arkansas (800-422-3445; cruisesbylinda@cox.net)

Celebrity Cruises
Equinox, Solstice
"Most of the 2C veranda cabins on the Continental Deck look onto lifeboats—but they're not advertised as obstructed views. Instead, book a 2C cabin on the Sunrise Deck and you'll get a completely unobstructed view for the same price."
Tom Baker, CruiseCenter, Houston (800-592-3887; tom.baker@cruisecenter.com)

Cruise west
Spirit of Yorktown
"The AA category contains some of the least expensive cabins on this recently renovated ship. But since they open directly onto the deck, it almost feels like you have a balcony. And it's more private than you might think, since most passengers spend their time up on the Sun Deck's observation areas."
Margret Propper, Brownell Travel, Birmingham, Alabama (800-999-3960; margretp@brownelltravel.com)

Crystal Cruises
Serenity, Symphony
"While the forward and aft cabins on these ships have larger verandas than you'll find midship, these oversized verandas have metal railings, so you can't see out to the water while sitting down. Some travelers prefer the bigger veranda, others the clear view."
Mary Jean Tully, Cruise Professionals, Toronto (800-265-3838; maryjean @cruiseprofessionals.com)

Cunard Line
Queen Mary 2
"The best deals on this ship are the balcony cabins with obstructed views. These rooms still get a surprising amount of light even with a lifeboat outside. Opt for the B5 and B6 category cabins because they have glass balconies—not metal ones, like the B1 through B4 rooms—which means you can see the ocean even from a lounge chair."
Dorothy Reminick, Reid Travel, Boca Raton, Florida (800-666-7150; dorothy@cruiselux.com)

Disney Cruise Line
Magic, Wonder
"The oceanview staterooms are a great buy and comfortable for a family of four. The tub and sink are separate from the toilet and a second sink, so that one person doesn't end up hogging the bathroom. Book one of these cabins on decks 5, 6, or 7, because they have a large window rather than a porthole."
Susan Kelly, Travel Magic, Basking Ridge, New Jersey (800-810-2844; ask@travelmagic.com)

Holland America Line
Prinsendam
"Cabins AA196 and AA197, located aft on the Promenade Deck, have private decks on one side and, on the other, open onto a communal deck that's so quiet and secluded you may as well have it to yourself. Did I mention there's a hot tub out there too?"
Greg Nacco, Cruise Specialists, Seattle (800-544-2469; gnacco@cruisespecialists.com)